Standpipe system



June 7', 1932.

W. F. CONRAN STANDPI PE SYSTEM Filed May 8, 1928 Fig.5.

5 Sheets-Shoat l M 27 Z 'INVENTOR y ;/ITTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 V15 N TOR K}. A T; ORNEY June 7, 1932. w. F. CONRAN STANDPIPE SYSTEM Filed May 8, 1928 June 7, 1932. w. F. CONRAN STANDPIPE SYSTEM Filed May 8,. 1928 5 Sheets-:Sheet 3 June 7, 1932. w. F. CONRAN STANDPIPE SYSTEM Filed May '8, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4' J W 1 i INVENTOR TTORNE Y June 7, 1932. w. F. CONRAN STANDEIPEQ SYSTEM Filed May 8, 1928 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR Iii/m A TORNEY Patented June 7, 1932 WILLIAIJI F. CONRAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK STANDPIPE SYSTEM Application filed May 8,

This invention relates to fire extinguishing standpipes of the general type disclosed in United States Patents Nos. 816,152 and m 1,253,005, granted to me March 27, 1906, and January 8, 1918, respectively, and cons sts broadly in the provision of a new and improved form of this type of apparatus, 111 which the control thereof is facilitated and information concerning operating conditions I at the standpipe discharge nozzles is given to the standpipe operator at apoint remote from the nozzles.

For a better understanding of the invention, its more specific objects and the advan- 16 tages accruing from the use of'one or more of its several features, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and to the following detailed description of the apparatus illustrated, by which the invention may be carried into efiect.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a standpipe embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged sectional vlews of portions of the standpipe;

Figs. 5 and 5 are, respectively, front and side elevations, on an enlarged scale, of a rest used with the standpipe; 7

Figs. 6 and 6" are, respectively, enlarged elevation and bottom plan views of one form of control bracket to be used with the standr Figs. 7, 7 and 7 b are, respectively, plan and front and side elevations of another form of control bracket; 7

. Figs. 8 and 8 are, respectively, a plan and elevation of a third form of control bracket;

Fig. 9 is an elevation (greatly enlarged) of a gauge used with the standpipe;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section,

of the gauge illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of a nozzle fitting assembly and valve; and

Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line 1212' of Fig. 11.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the standplpe 1s shown as comprising a plurality of pipe sec- 1928. Serial No. 276,063.

tions connected by nozzle carrying fittings 2 and a control fitting 3. For purposes of illustration the standpipe is shown rotatably mounted within a building, the pipe sections extending through the floors 4 thereof and receiving lateral support from the bearing sleeves 5 set in the floors. Rotation ofthe standpipe is accomplished by means of a manually operable lever, preferably located 7 adjacent to the control fitting 3. It is to be understood, however, that the'invention is not limited to a standpipe located in this manner, but may be applied as well to a standpipe located eXteriorly of any building or other similar structure it is designed to protect. Further, it will be clear that while only the lower portion of the standpipe is illustrated, the height thereof and the number of nozzles carried is greater than that shown and will vary with the height of the structure to be with a Siamese inlet connection 11, serving to admit the fire extinguishing fluid, ordinarily water under pressure, to the standpipe. It also is provided with a pair of openings having stuifing-boxes 12 through which the control pipe 13 passes from the interior of the standpipe to the exterior thereof and again to the interior. The upper end of pipe 13 is open, as indicated in Fig. 3, and the pipe extends downwardly through the standpipe and communicates with thecylinder 7 below the piston 8 through the orifices 14: in the latter. A three-way valve 15 is mounted in the section of pipe outside the standpipe, this valve being provided with a manually operable handle 16 arranged so that when it is in the position shown in Fig. 3 the pipe 13 is open to place the lower end readily be apparent that if of cylinder 7 in communication with the interior of the standpipe. In this position of the valve, the standpipeis lifted by the pressure of the fluid admitted from the standpipe to the lower side of piston 8. When the valve handle 16 is moved to a horizontal position, the valve is closed and the stand pipe is held at the level attained by the fluid trapped below the piston. 'When the handle 16 is moved below the horizontal position, i the valve 15 vents the cylinder 7 to the atmos phere or a suitable drain through port 17, in which event gravity acts to lower the standpipe. Obviously, the valve 15 travels with the standpipe, and in order to provide control over it at various levels,-it has attached thereto the operating chain or cable 18.

As the standpipe forms a structure of comelement of the standpipe strikes a limiting abutment, such, for example, as the piston 8 stril'ring the cover of cylinder 7, or the 'fitting 3 striking a floor 4, serious, and probably damaging, shock to the apparatus will be the result.

In order to prevent such a contingency, an automatic stop or control bracket is provided, adapted to engagethe valve handle 16, any position of rotation of the standpipe, when the latter reaches a predetermined height. As shown in Figs. 1,6 and'6 this bracket takes the form of a ring 19-to which are attached a plurality of perforated hanger strips 20. A like number of arms 21 are mounted to depend from the floor above the control fitting and around the standpipe. To these arms the strips are bolted, with ring 19 encircling the standpipe at a height deter mined by the selection of the hole through which the strips 20 are bolted. The operation of the stop is largely obvious. As the standpipe rises to the limiting position, the valvehandle 16 strikes ring 19 and is moved toward a horizontal position from its necessarily upwardly angular position. When the valve is moved toclosed position (with the handle horizontal), motion of the stand pipe ceases, because of the non-expanding nature of the fiuid'in cylinder 7, and return of the standpipe to a lower position is effected by manually moving the valve to release or venting position through the medium of the chain 18.

If automatic return of the standpipe is desired, a sprmg, or its equivalent, may be and it will provided to pull the handle 16 downward to release position after it has been moved to a neutral or closed position by the ring 19.

In Figs. 7, 7 and 7* another form of stop bracket is illustrated. This form is particularly adapted to be mounted to a vertical wall, but may by the use of a proper bracket, be attached to a floor or other horizontal sur face. As shown, the device consists of a ring 22 adapted to encircle the standpipe 1, and having an arm 23 by means of which it is piv-otally mounted, as at24, to a bracket 25 attached to wall 26. An upwardly extending lug 27 carries an adjustable stop 28, by means of Which upward rotation of the ring about the pivot 24 is limited, while a downwardly projecting lug 29, carrying stop 30, limits its motion in the opposite direction. A spring 31 between the lug 29 and the face of bracket 25 serves to keep the ring position, as indicated in Fig. 7 Opposite arm 23, ring 22 carries an arm 32, to which is attached the control chain or cable 33. hen this form of stop is used, upward motion of the standpipe is arrested by contact of the handle 16 with ring 22/ Return of the standpipe is effected by a pull on chain 22 in its upper:'

33, the spring 31 allowing the ring 22 to be.

depressed sufiiciently to throw the valve to release position. v f

"In 8 and 3 still another form of stop is shown in which the stop may also function to give a degree of lateral support to the standpipe. In this device, the stop is in the form of an open cage-like member, compris ing a bottom ring 34, connected by arms 35 to a sleeve 36 adapted to loosely fit over the pipe 1. The sleeve 36 is'attached to the supportingbracket 37by the parallel forked arms 38, both of which are sleeve and bracket so that motion of the former is substantially parallel-tothe axis of pipe 1. The clearance between pipe 1 and sleeve 36 1s sufiioient to allow for the pivoted to the slight lateral movement of the cage member- 7 caused by the pivotal movement of'arms 38,

but any material misalignment of pipe 1 will bring it into contact with the supporting" sleeve 36. Bracket 37 is secured in any suitment, and is provided with upper and lower lugs 40 and 41, the former carrying an adjustable stop 42 and the latter a stop 43. A spring 44 around stop 43 serves to hold the ring 34 in its upper position. An arm 45, to which is attached chain 46, provides means for depressing ring 34 to move the along a vertical line, which can be bolted able manner to a wall 39 or other fiXedele-" together in position after the standpipe is assembled. 1

It is desirable to have the range of verfittings 2 between the extreme positions.

shown in dotted linesin Fig. 1. The control fitting 3 moves between like positions, and in order to keep the controls at a convenient heightwhen the standpipe is not in use, a

rest is provided for holding the standpipe in the intermediate position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, this rest moving to an inoperative position as soon as the standpipe is lifted therefrom.

The rest comprises a plurality ofpivotally mounted legs 47 secured to a fioor l or any equivalent fixed element and preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to the standpipe. Obviously the number of legs employed may be varied. As shown in Figs. 5 and 5 each leg 47 is supported by a pivot pin 48 between the spaced legs of a bracket 49, the latter being held in place by any suitable anchoring means, such as bolts 50. The leg 47 has a short lug 47* extending below the pin 48, and a coil spring 51, retained in the recessed bracket, forces the lever to the position shown in Fig. 5*, the motion of the lever to a position to the right of that shown being prevented by the stop pin 52. Referring for the moment to Fig. 3, it will be observed that the fitting 8 is provided with a lower flange, larger in diameter than the flange on pipe 1, and that this flange has a circumferential downwardly projectmg head or rim, forming with the pip-e flange an annular recess adapted to receive the upper ends of the legs 47 which support the standpipe when it is lowered upon them. It will be obvious that the legs 47 may be readily moved inwardly toward the standpipe by the operator because of the great leverage applied against springs 51, which only have to be strong enough to move the legs to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 when the standpipe is lifted.

The discharge from the standpipe nozzles is controlled through hydraulically operated valves located adjacent to the nozzles and to be described in detail later. Each nozzle valve is opened by admitting fluid from the standpipe to the valve operating mechanism through a control pipe 54, the inlet end of which is within the standpipe, and which passes in and out of the fitting 3 through stufling-boxes 55 to provide an exterior section in which is located the three-way control valve 56. This valve is provided with a manually operable handle 57 by means of which the valve is actuated to either admit fluid to the nozzle valve operating means or to release the fluid from said means through the vent 58. It will be understood that there are separate control pipes 54, one for each of the nozzles at different floors or elevations, all of the control pipes extending from the control station, and each having 21 control valve 56 at that station.

also be provided with chains by which they may be actuated when in elevated position.

Valves 56 are also preferably set closerto V V the standpipe than valve 15, so that the handles 57 will not be engaged by the stop ring 19, but if it is desired to have one or more of the nozzles automatically shut off when the standpipe reaches a predeterminedheight, this can be accomplished either by setting the proper valve or valves further from the axis of the standpipe or by making use of extended handles for such valves.

It is highly desirable for the operator to"' be informed of the conditions obtaining with respect to'the discharge from the standpipe nozzles, particularly with reference to the distance to which the extinguishing streams m are being thrown from thestandpipe. This requires a remote indication as the operator may be several floors removed from the nozzle ornozzles which are in operation and with respect to which an indication is desired. m In order to secure this indication, the present invention makes use of the pressure within the standpipe for indicating the length. of throw of the streams from the nozzles when they are in any given position, as this factor is dependent upon and will vary with variations in the pressure within the standpipe.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be apparent that in a vertically movable standpipe of the form illustrated, the distance of throw, of the discharge from any nozzle will depend not only upon the pressure obtaining atthe nozzle but also upon the height of the nozzle above its particular floor level so that the indication of this factor through the medium of apparatus operated bv standpipe pressure" will be for a given vertical position of the nozzle. The nozzle position for which the indication is given may be arbitrarily chosen;

for example, the reading'may be for the throw with the nozzle in its most elevated'- position, thereby indicating the maximum so obtainable with a given pressure or it may be arranged so that the reading will indicate the throw with the nozzle in its mid position, Obviously in installations where the stand-" pipe is not vertically movable, the pressure factor and the angularity of the nozzles will determine the throw from the nozzle.

In order to secure this indication without.

resorting to complication in the standpipe 133 the indicators to the different nozzles.

structure,

and '65, and

an indication oi the pressures obtaining at the nozzles and also the throw therefrom is secured atthe operating station bya novel arrangement of indicators located at the operating station-and preferably secured in the nozzle control pipes where they are outside the standpipe. 7

Each nozzle has its ind'cator remotely located at the operating station, and as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 each indicator preferably comprises a cylindrical casing 59, within which a bourdon tube 60 is mounted, this tube being in communication with the interior of the control pipe upon which the indicator is mounted and operating a pivoted indicator needle 61 through a standard form of linkage, suchas used in ordinary pres sure gages, .which it is not necessary to show. The casing 59 carries a plurality of inwardly extending arms 62 through the inner ends of which the clamping screws 63 pass. The heads of these screws serve to hold in position an annular dial 64, and a circular dial 65, upon one of which is a pressure scale 66 and upon the other of which is a scaled? indicating the length of the stream thrown by the nozzle. A cover ring 68 serves to hold in place the usual protecting glass face 69.

By loosening the screws 63, the dials 64 each of them, .can be turned to different positions, so that a given actual pressure at the indicator will give readings to showthe pressure ator near the corresponding nozzle and/ or the length of stream that should be thrown by that nozzle, notwithstanding that the nozzles are at various elevations removed from the central operating station. This feature may be utilized in calibrating the several indicators to show the pressures at the difierent nozzles, by moving the dials 65 as if to add or subtractfrom the actual pressures at the several indicators the difierent static heads between the -indi cators and the corresponding nozzles and the amounts of pressure loss due to friction or the like in the flow of the water through the standpipe and valves from the regioi i of he raduation of each dial 65,01" the position to which it should be set, is determined'when the system is installed, and may be deter mined by calculation or empirically.v In like manner the graduations and settings for the several dials 64, showing the throw of the streams from the nozzles corresponding to different pressures, can be determined and these dials fixed in the proper positions.

It will be perceived that a distinctive feature of this part of the invention isthe provision .of indicators responsive to pressure in the standpipe system other than the pressure at the nozzles, in a manner to show the pressures at the respective nozzles and/or the "lengths of the streams that should be v standpipe.

tically or about its axis.

or deflection of nozzle.

done when the system is installed.

Referring now to Fig. 11, a nozzle as';

thrown. The information thus given is of great advantage in combatting fire with the Thus if there is a fire on a given floor ofthe building, the fireman will oper ate the proper control valve at the operating stationto open the valve of that nozzle and a stream will be delivered and though the man can not see it he can tell by looking at the corresponding indicator what force the stream should have and. how far it should carry. 7 If the indication is not satisfactory he can speed up the pump or decrease its speed, or raise or'lower the standpipe, or both' If on going out into the street he should find that thestreamis not having the 5 effect to be expected from the showing on the indicator, possibly due to some obstruction inthepath of the stream, he can again regulate the pump or shift the standpipe verdrop down to a lower floor, it will be necessary to turn on a second nozzle, which'will reduce the pressure and the throw of the stream on the floor above, and the fireman will be informed by the indicators of the? change in conditions at the first'nozzle as well as the force and throw ofthe stream at the lower floor, and can govern his. operations accordingly. Thevalue of the information given by the indicators is not alone in extinguishing a fire at any floor most expeditiously but also in avoiding undue damage to the building and contents by water.

If the nozzles are not set at the same angularity in the vertical plane, it for example some of them are horizontal and some of them at predetermined upward deflections, it will be necessary to provide dials 64 having the stream-throw graduations on their scales 67 diii'erently spaced, and to apply to the particular indicator the scale which is graduated for that particular angularity Thisis, of course,

sembly is shown in enlarged detail. This comprises the fitting 2 provided with the discharge branch 70, in which is located the angularly disposed valve seat 71 adapted to be controlled is connected by stem 73 with piston 74., the latter being mounted in cylinder 7 5 attached to the branch 70. A'packing gland prevents escape of fluid from the standpipe to cylinder 75. A serves to seat the latter, which is further held to a tight seat by the pressure within the standpipe. Valve 72 is opened from the control station by means offluid admitted If the fire should T;

by the valve 72.. Valve 72 5 spring 86 above piston 74L iii.

through control pipe 54: to the cylinder 75" below the piston'l'a, which is larger indiameter than valve 72 and therefore capable of opening the latter against stand pipe presj sure. In addition, means for manually opening the valve directly is provided. Thisand carries a hand wheel 80 at its upper end."

It will be obvious that the lost motion con nection between the wheel 80 and piston 74: permits the valve 72 to be manually opened without interfering with the fluid pressure actuated control, as the valve can be fully opened by fluid admitted below piston 74,

when the stem 77 is in the closed position shown in the figure. The end of the discharge branchis preferably threaded as at 81, so that the nozzle 82 maybe removably secured there to by the standard coupling collar'83.

With this form of apparatus, the discharge openings may be used individually in'combatting localized fires, either by directing a stream from the nozzle thereon, or by removing the nozzle and attaching a hose carried either on the standpipeor in a suitable rack adjacent thereto and provided with a standard coupling 8d interchangeable with coupling 83. I

While the apparatus embodying the several features of the invention has been shown in preferred forms and embodied in a single standpipe, it will be understood that it is intended that the certain features of the inv-en 85.tion may be used without the use of others and that apparatus embodying the invention may be applied to forms of standpipes differing from the one shown herein for purposes of illustrating the invention. g

It will be understood also that the invention includes all such variations and equivalents as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the' combination of a vertically movable standpipe, fluid pressure actuated means for lifting the standpipe, a manually operable valve mounted to move with thestandpipe for controllingsaid means, and means adapted to close said valve when said standpipe is lifted to a predetermined height. i

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary and vertically mov- ,able standpipe, fluid pressure actuated means for lifting the standpipe, a manually operable valve mounted to move with the standpipe for controlling said means, and means adaptedto close said valve when said standpipe is lifted to a predetermined height in any position of rotation.

' 3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination'with a structure to be protected, of a vertically movable standpipe associated with said structure, fluid pressure actuated. means for lifting the standpipe, a manual ly operable valve mounted to move with-the standpipe for controlling said means, said valve having an operating handle extending outwardly from the standpipe, and means supported by said structurefor engaging said handle to close the valve when the standpipe is lifted to a predetermined height.

' 4. In apparatus of the classdescribed, thecombination with a structure to be protected,

and means supported by said structure com-' prising aring encircling the standpipe and spaced therefrom for engaging said handle to close the valve when the standpipe is lifted to a predetermined height in any position of rotation.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a structure to be protected, of a vertically movable standpipe associated with said. structure, fluid pressure actuated means for lifting the standpipe, a manually operable valve mounted to move. with the standpipe for'controlling said means, said valve having an operating handle extending outwardly from the standpipe and movable downwardly from an open position through an intermediate closed position to a release 5 position, means resiliently supported by said structure for engaging said handle to close the valve when the standpipe is lifted to a predetermined height, and manually operable means for movingsaid resiliently supported means downwardly to move said valve handle to release position; p i

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a structure to be protected, of a rotary and'vertically movable standpipe associated with said structure, fluid pressure actuated means for lifting thestandpipe, a manually operable valve mounted to move with the "standpipe for I controlling said means,said valve having an operating handle extending outwardly from the standpipe and movable downwardly from an open position through an intermediate closed positipp t o a release posit-ion, means resiliently supported by s'aid structure'comprising a ring encircling the standpipe and spaced therefrom forengaging said handle to close the valve when the standpipe is liftedto a predetermined height in any position ofrotation, and manually'operable means for moving said resiliently supported means downwardly to move said valve handle to release position;

" 7 In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a vertically movablestande pipe and means for moving it, of supporting means adapted to engagefsaid standpipe iio to hold it in a position intermediate the ex plurality of floors, of astand'pipe havlngan:

treme positions to which it can be moved.

- 8.1 In apparatus of the class described, the" combination with a standpipe vertically movable between two positions and. means for moving it, of pivoted supporting means adapted to be moved into engagement with said standpipe to hold it in a position intermediate said first two positions,.and means for automatically moving said supporting means out of engagement with the standpipe when it is lifted above said intermediate position. r

9. In apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination with a standpipe vertically movable between two positions and means for 'moving it, of a restfor holding thestandpipe in an intermediateposition comprising a plurality of pivoted legs adapted to be manually. moved into engagement with the standpipe to support it,zmeansfor releasably holding said legs in engagement with the standpipe,.and springs acting on said legs to move them, out of engagement with the standpipe when 'thelatter is lifted from the supported position.

10. In, apparatus of the class'described, the combination with. a standpipe comprising a pair of flanged pipe sections joined by a' flanged control fitting, said standpipe being rota-tably and vertically movable, of

an. extended; flange on saidv fitting: forming a downwardly opening annular recess around thestandpipma pair of supporting legs piv oted at their lower ends and located so that their. upper ends'are adapted to be moved intosaidirecess in any position of rotationof thestandpipe to support thelatter in, anintermediate vertical position, and means for 'moving said legs-outwardly away from said recess, when the standpipe is moved above saidlntermedlate POSltlOlL.

11. In apparatus of the class. described,

thecombinationwith a standpipe having an operating, station and means for supplying fluid under pressure tothe'standpipe, of ,a'

plurality offdischarge nozzles located at different elevations other than that ofv the operating station,fand' separate means for indicating at the operatingstation the throw ofeachof. the streams delivered'by said nozzles from givenpositions thereof;

12. Inan apparatus of the class described, the combination with a standpipe havingan operating station and means for. supplying fluid under.- pressure to the. standpipe, of 'a" plurality of discharge nozzlesv located at different elevations other thanthat of the operating, station, and separate means operated by the pressure of the. fluid a'dmitted to'the standpipe for indicating at the operatingstation the throw of each ofthe streamsdelivered by. said nozzles from given positions thereof;

13. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination with abuildinghaving operating stationat one floor, meansfor sup: plying fluid under pressure to the standpipe, aplurality of discharge nozzles each located at a different floor, and separate'means-op-- erated by the pressure of the fluid admitted to'the standpipe for indicating at the operating station the throw of the discharge from each of said. nozzles with respect tothe floor at which it is located when said nozzles arein a given position.

14. In apparatus of, the class described, the

combination with a standpipe having a central operating station and means for supplying fluidunder pressure to the standpipe, of. a plurality of discharge nozzles located: at difierent elevations, a. plurality of. indicatorslocated at the operating. station, each of said indicators beingconnected to the interior. of the standpipe and each indicator being calibratedto register the'pressure at the elevation f of a different nozzle.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the

and extending from the operating station to each of said valves, and manually. operable:

valves at the operating station in eachv of,v sa1d.connect1ons,of an lIlCllCELiSOI', ineach of said connections adjacent to the manually operable valve, eachof said indicators having an'adjustable dial whereby itmay be calibrated to indicate the pressure at thev correspond'ing nozzleJ V I 16. Inapparatusof the class described, the combinationwith astandpipe having an ops crating station and means for supplylngi fluid under pressure to the standpipe, of-a plurality of discharge nozzles locatedat' different elevations other than that offtheoperating. station, andfa set of indicators located at the operating station, said. indicators being connected to the interior of the standpipe, and each having two dials, one of which is adapted to indicate the pressures at the nozzles andthe other of which is adapted to indi+ cate the lengthsof thestreams thrown from the nozzles- 17. The combination as set out in claim16,

in whicheach indicator comprises a single movable member responsive tothe pressure within the standpipeat the elevation of the.

indicator, and adjustable dialseach of which is adjustable to compensate for. the pressure difference in the standpipe betweenthe indicator and the nozzle. r

18. The combinationof a tern having a central operatingstation, discharge nozzles at different elevations, means, for supplying water to said. nozzles, and a pltn ality of indicators at the central station standpipesys- 1,se2,11o

responsive to fluid pressure in the supply means of said system other than the pressure at the nozzles, said indicators adapted to indicate pressures at the respective nozzles.

19. The combination of a standpipe sys nozzles are in operation.

20. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a standpipe comprising a plurality of discharge nozzles at difl'erent elevations, valves controlling said nozzles, a central operating station, fluid pressure connections from the operating station to each of said valves, and manually operable valves at the operating station in each of said connections, of a set of indicators connected with the interior of the standpipe, each of said indicators being adjacent one of said manually operable valves, said indicators being differently calibrated so as to indicate pressures at the respective nozzles.

WILLIAM F. CONRAN. 

